If you’re an MBBS graduate looking for a respected government job where you can use your medical knowledge to serve people and build a stable career, then the ESIC Insurance Medical Officer (IMO) Recruitment 2026 is something you should know about. The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has released a fresh notification inviting eligible doctors to apply for 225 IMO Grade-II posts across the country.
This opportunity is especially exciting because it does not involve another written exam — selection will be based on merit from the Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE) 2024 conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Let’s walk through everything you need to know — eligibility, important dates, how to apply, salary, and selection process — in simple language.
What Exactly Is ESIC and the IMO Post?
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is a central government organisation under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Its mission is to provide social security and healthcare benefits to employees and their families through a network of hospitals and dispensaries across India.
An Insurance Medical Officer (IMO) Grade-II is a qualified medical doctor who leads clinical services in ESIC hospitals and dispensaries. This role is not just clinical but also involves preventive healthcare, community interaction, and coordination of patient care.
For many MBBS doctors, working as an IMO in ESIC means:
- Being part of a government healthcare system
- Access to a stable pay scale
- Opportunities to grow professionally in public service
Total Vacancies and Category Distribution
In 2026, ESIC has announced a total of 225 posts for Insurance Medical Officer Grade-II (IMO Gr II) across India.
These 225 positions include both current openings and some backlog vacancies carried forward from earlier recruitment cycles.
The category-wise breakdown looks roughly like this:
- Unreserved (UR): 63 posts
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 64 posts
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 43 posts
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 33 posts
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 22 posts
(Subject to final confirmation in the official notification)
Key Dates You Must Remember
Timing is very important for any government recruitment. For ESIC IMO 2026, here are the key dates:
- Notification Released: 13 January 2026
- Offline Application Begins: 13 January 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 17 February 2026 (for most candidates)
- Extended Deadline: 24 February 2026 (for candidates in remote areas)
It’s important to send your application well before the last date because postal delays or errors can result in rejection.
Eligibility — Who Can Apply?
Before you begin filling out forms, check if you are eligible for this recruitment.
- Educational Qualification
To apply for the ESIC IMO post, you must have:
✔ A recognized MBBS degree (as per the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956)
✔ Completed the compulsory rotating internship before the joining date
✔ Registration with the National Medical Council (NMC) or a State Medical Council is mandatory
If you have not completed your internship or registration by the last date, your application may be rejected.
- Age Limit
The standard age limit set for this recruitment is that candidates should not be older than 35 years as of 01 August 2024.
But there’s good news — age relaxation is given as per Government of India norms to candidates belonging to:
- SC/ST
- OBC
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)
- Ex-servicemen
… and other categories where applicable.
This means many deserving candidates in reserved categories will get extended age eligibility depending on the rules.
How Is the Selection Done?
This is one of the most important parts where many candidates get confused.
Unlike many other government jobs, ESIC is not conducting its own written test or interview for this recruitment. Instead, the selection is done based on the merit list of the Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE) 2024, which is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Here’s how it works in simple terms:
- You must have appeared in the UPS C CMSE-2024 exam.
- If your name appears on the CMSE “Pratibha Setu” portal list, you are eligible to apply.
- ESIC will then prepare a merit list based on your CMSE marks.
- Candidates are shortlisted in order of merit for final appointment.
- There is no separate written exam or interview conducted by ESIC itself.
Because the recruitment is tied to UPSC’s CMSE results, your ranking and marks there play a critical role in your chances of selection.
Offline Application — Step-by-Step
Unlike most modern recruitments that are online, ESIC’s IMO 2026 application process is offline. That means you must prepare and send your application form by post.
Here’s what you should do:
Step 1 — Download the Application Form
Go to the official ESIC website and download the application form from the notification PDF.
Step 2 — Complete the Form Carefully
Fill in your details like name, address, education, UPSC CMSE roll number, marks, and category.
Step 3 — Attach Self-Attested Documents
You will need to attach copies of:
- MBBS degree certificate
- Internship completion certificate
- Registration certificate (NMC/State Medical Council)
- UPSC CMSE marks/roll proof
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-size photograph with signature
Make sure everything is clear and accurate.
Step 4 — Prepare the Envelope
Write clearly on the envelope:
“Application for the post of IMO Grade-II in ESIC”
Send it by Speed Post or Registered Post — self-addressed envelopes are recommended for your own record.
Step 5 — Send to the Correct Address
Address it to:
The Joint Director (Recruitment),
Employees’ State Insurance Corporation,
Panchdeep Bhawan, CIG Marg,
New Delhi – 110002
Remember — applications sent by email or online will not be accepted.
Salary and Benefits — What You Can Expect
Doctors selected as Insurance Medical Officer Grade-II will be placed in Level-10 of the Central Government pay matrix, with a basic pay between approximately ₹56,100 and ₹1,77,500 per month.
On top of this basic pay, you will also get:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Transport Allowance
- Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA)
…and other benefits as applicable under the government rules stated at the time of appointment.
Considering these benefits, the total monthly earnings can be significantly higher than the basic figure alone.
Why ESIC IMO Is Such a Good Opportunity
Here’s why this recruitment stands out:
✔ You get a government job in healthcare — rare and respected.
✔ You don’t need another separate written exam.
✔ Your UPSC CMSE performance becomes your selection basis.
✔ The pay and benefits are solid, with room for future promotions.
✔ You get a chance to serve people’s health needs across India.
For many young doctors, joining ESIC as an IMO is not just a job, but a career path with impact, allowing them to practice medicine while contributing to social welfare.
Final Words
The ESIC Insurance Medical Officer Recruitment 2026 is a large-scale opportunity for MBBS doctors who have already completed their internships and appeared in the CMSE-2024. With 225 vacancies, a solid pay scale, and no separate exam, this recruitment is straightforward — but it still requires attention to detail and timely application.
If your name already appears in the CMSE merit list, take advantage of this chance. Prepare your application carefully, send it before the 17 February 2026 deadline (or 24 February for remote areas), and keep all your documents in order.
A respected medical role under the government can be the start of a fulfilling journey — and this recruitment might just be your first step.
